features & specs

The 2017 GMC Acadia wears its new, smaller size well, offering good room for up to seven, improved dynamics and fuel economy, plenty of features, and a touch of family luxury.

In an automotive landscape where vehicles grow larger with each successive generation, the GMC Acadia gets considerably smaller and lighter with its 2017 redesign. Maximum seating capacity also drops from eight to seven, and a 4-cylinder engine is newly available in addition to a V-6.

The new Acadia earns a 7.3 out of 10 on our ratings scale, thanks to good features and its stylish approach. It has room to improve on fuel economy and our overall rating will be more comprehensive once safety is factored into the overall number. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

Styling and performance

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Though smaller in size, the 2017 GMC Acadia does a good job of balancing its family-oriented crossover intentions with a tough, truck-like look, while also imparting a feeling of luxury. It isn't as blocky as some GMCs, but those angular elements are still there. The grille is as bold as it's ever been, but it trades a rectangular look for a trapezoidal shape. Along the sides, the body is more sculpted, there is a prominent kick up along the window line at the third pillar, and the rear side window glass appears to wrap around the back of the vehicle. The high-end Denali model gets plenty of chrome trim for a luxury look, and the new All Terrain model features blacked out trim.

Take 7 inches of length and 740 pounds out of a vehicle and you are certainly going to improve the handling. The 2017 GMC Acadia is much easier to maneuver in tight spots and more responsive to driver inputs than the large, but pleasant, model it replaces. There is still some lean in turns, but it's less noticeable, and there is a slight bit of wobble at highway speeds, a result of the tall ride height. A Traction Select system with a Sport mode adds some weight to the steering and firms up the dampers in Denalis equipped with the optional Continuously Variable Ride Control system.

Most buyers will likely opt for the 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6, and with good reason. It gets the Acadia moving briskly, hitting 60 mph in as little as 6.5 seconds, and it has plenty in reserve for highway passing. The new 194-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder is actually quite acceptable for everyday driving with a light load. It offers good initial response, but runs out of breath when pushed hard, and 0 to 60 mph takes at least 9.3 seconds.

Comfort, safety, and features

The greatest advantage of the outgoing Acadia was its interior space. GMC gives up that advantage to play more in the mainstream this time around. Maximum passenger capacity falls by one, and maximum cargo space drops by 36 cubic feet.

But that doesn't mean there isn't still lots of space. The second row slides fore and aft a few inches and it offers good space. Throw a couple people in back, though, and you’ll have to play a game of give and take to balance second- and third-row passenger space. Those third-row occupants should probably be kids, though. Access to the third row is made easy by the passenger side Smart Slide second-row seat.

The All Terrain model foregoes a third-row seat, providing instead a rack that can be moved a couple of feet forward and back and used to hold cargo in place.

The Acadia’s cabin is suitably upscale. The door panels and dashboard feature soft-touch surfaces, and the center stack is ringed in metal trim. Our only complaint is the plastic trim in some models that does a poor job of approximating wood.

The IIHS has rated the new Acadia for safety, and gave the hauler a Top Safety Pick nod. Federal testers gave the SUV a five-star overall score, including four stars for rollover safety, which is a calculated score rather than an actual test.

GMC offers the Acadia with a host of safety features, including a surround-view camera system, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic alerts, front park assist, pedestrian detection with low-speed automatic braking, and forward collision warning with emergency braking. The alerts for many of these features are handled by GM’s Safety Alert seat that vibrates in the direction of the warning. GMC also has a rear-seat reminder system to alert parents that they may have left kids in the car.

The 2017 GMC Acadia is offered in SE, SLE, SLT, All Terrain, and Denali models. Pricing starts at $29,995 for an SE with front-wheel drive and ranges up to $47,845 for a Denali with all-wheel drive. Options can push that total past $50,000.

The new All Terrain comes with an Active Twin Clutch all-wheel-drive (AWD) system that can transfer torque both forward to rear and left to right. It also has an All Terrain setting in place of the Off Road setting of other AWD models; GMC says it delivers enhanced hill climbing capability. However, it does not offer other off-road features like tow hooks, knobby tires, or improved approach and departure angles.

The Denali model is loaded with such luxuries as a hands-free power liftgate, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a power tilt/telescoping steering column, an 8.0-inch configurable instrument panel display, and a heated steering wheel. The Denali is also the only Acadia offered with Continuously Variable Ride Control.

GMC's Intellilink infotainment system is updated this year. The 8.0-inch center touchscreen carries over, but it adds Apple Car Play and Android Auto compatibility, as well as access to three new apps: Glympse, The Weather Channel, and At Your Service. A new my GMC mobile app also lets owners control several features of the Acadia remotely.

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2017 GMC Acadia

Styling

A smaller size brings slightly softer styling but the look is refined inside and out.

Though smaller in size, the 2017 GMC Acadia does a good job of balancing its family-oriented crossover intentions with a tough, truck-like appearance, while also imparting a feeling of luxury.

The overall look isn't as blocky as some GMCs, but those angular elements are still there. The grille is as bold as it's ever been, but it trades a rectangular look for a trapezoidal shape. GMC offers different grilles for different models. The Denali's grille is blinged out in chrome with a checkered mesh pattern. The All Terrain model has a blacked out grille with horizontal bars and black mesh. Lower end grilles feature chrome surrounds and the All Terrain's horizontal bars with black mesh. The headlights are also less blocky, taking on a eye-like taper with LED accents.

Along the sides, the body is more sculpted with the hint of a Coke-bottle shape. There is a prominent kick up along the window line at the third pillar, and the rear side window glass appears to wrap around the back of the vehicle.

The rear end also gets a bit more visual interest with tapered taillights that mimic the headlights, and a bit more surface sculpting instead of the straight, stern lines of the outgoing model.

In terms of trim, the All Terrain and Denali again stand out from the pack. The Denali has more chrome on the roof rails, window surrounds, side trim, door handles, and lower fascias, plus its own unique six-spoke 20-inch wheels. On the All Terrain, most of those chrome elements become black.

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2017 GMC Acadia

Performance

Lighter this year, the GMC Acadia is easier to maneuver and downright quick with the V-6, though the new 4-cylinder struggles when loaded.

Take 7 inches of length and 740 pounds out of a vehicle and you are certainly going to improve the handling. The 2017 GMC Acadia is much easier to maneuver in tight spots and more responsive to driver inputs than the large, but pleasant model it replaces. There is still some lean in turns, but it's less noticeable, and there is a slight bit of wobble at highway speeds, a result of the raised ride height.

Despite the weight loss, the Acadia feels a bit heavy when ordered with the V-6 model and all-wheel drive. It lightens up with front-drive and/or the 4-cylinder engine.

In any model, the steering is fairly direct, if light on road feel, and the available Sport mode firms it up to almost sports car levels. In Denalis with the optional Continuously Variable Ride Control, that Sport mode also firms up the adjustable shocks. Even in the firmer setting, however, the ride is forgiving.

Most buyers will likely opt for the 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6, and with good reason. It gets the Acadia moving briskly and has plenty in reserve for highway passing. Plus, it lets out a satisfying growl when pushed. GMC says the 0-60 mph time is as low as 6.5 seconds, which is quite quick for a crossover. We've even observed heapings of wheel spin in the crossover.

The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder is actually acceptable for most everyday driving, especially with a light load. It offers good initial response, but runs out of breath when pushed hard, running uphill, or—likely—when loaded with people and cargo. Even with just a driver, 0 to 60 mph arrives in a rather pedestrian 9.3 seconds.

All Acadias come standard with a Traction Select system. It adjusts the pedal map, transmission shift points, steering weight, and, when equipped with the active dampers, the damper settings. Depending on the model, it is available with 2WD, 4WD, Sport, Towing, and Off Road/All Terrain modes.

With the available towing package, the V-6 can tow up to 4,000 pounds. The 4-cylinder is not rated for towing.

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2017 GMC Acadia

Comfort & Quality

The smaller size reduces seating capacity to seven and cuts into cargo room, but the Acadia still offers good space for people and cargo.

The greatest advantage of the outgoing Acadia was its interior space. It had so much room that you could fill it with eight passengers and still carry their stuff. It maxed out at a whopping 116.1 cubic feet of cargo space, making it the most spacious family hauler this side of a minivan.

GMC gives up those advantages to play more in the mainstream this time around. A GMC spokesman said only 8 percent of buyers needed an eight-passenger vehicle. Without as much width to work with, this one can only accommodate two passengers in the third row instead of three. That drops max capacity to seven, and GMC offers a six-passenger variant with two second-row captain’s chairs, as well as a new two-row version with five-passenger seating.

We like the Acadia's front and rear seats and think it has a high level of fit-and-finish for the upscale General Motors brand. We give it an 8 out of 10 on our comfort scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

Sized like a a Toyota Highlander, the Acadia still offers good space. Front-row occupants sit on comfortable bucket seats with plenty of head room and leg room. The second row slides fore and aft a few inches and it, too, offers good space in most instances. Throw a couple people in back, though, and you’ll have to give and take to balance second- and third-row passenger space.

Those third-row occupants should probably be kids, as leg room is tight and the cushion sits low, causing a knees-up seating position. Still, a pair of adults will fit back there in a pinch, and the passenger side Smart Slide second-row seat provides fairly easy access to the third row: just pull a handle and slide the seat forward to create a clear path to the rear.

With all the seats up, the 2017 Acadia has a minuscule 12.8 cubic feet of rear cargo space compared to 24.1 cubic feet for the 2016 model. The second and third rows fold flat to expand that to 79 cubic feet, which is still spacious and competitive for the class but a far cry from the outgoing model’s vast cargo hold. In the All Terrain model, with its two-row seating, GMC also provides a rack that can be moved a couple of feet forward and back on a track and used to hold cargo in place.

The Acadia’s cabin is suitably upscale for its $30,000-$50,000 price tag. The door panels and dashboard feature soft-touch surfaces, and the center stack is ringed in metal trim. Our only complaint is the plastic trim that in some models does a poor job of approximating wood. GMC says it may update the materials before the vehicle goes on sale. Let’s hope it does.

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2017 GMC Acadia

Safety

Crash-test ratings for the GMC Acadia are good from federal and independent testers.

Crash-test results for the 2017 GMC Acadia are promising for the future of the SUV.

The Acadia earned top "Good" scores in every crash test, and its active safety features have been rated as "Superior" by the agency. Only its headlights received a "Marginal" score, which keeps it from ascending the ladder to Top Safety Pick status.

Federal testers gave it a five-star overall score, including a four-star score for rollover safety, which is common for tall-riding vehicles.

We give the Acadia a point for TSP, for a 7 out of 10 on safety. We'd like to give another point for advanced safety features, but those are only reserved for top, pricey Denali trims for now. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

It comes standard with eight airbags, as well as a rearview camera.

Three radar units, five cameras, and ultrasonic sensors enable several other features, including a surround-view camera system, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alerts, front park assist, pedestrian detection with low-speed automatic braking, and forward collision warning with emergency braking. The alerts for many of these features are handled by General Motor’s Safety Alert seat that vibrates in the direction of the warning.

GMC also has a rear-seat reminder system to alert parents that they may have left kids in the car. It senses if the rear doors have been opened and sounds a warning and flashes a message in the instrument panel when the driver is exiting the vehicle. GMC says that 30-40 kids die from heatstroke each year, and half of those cases are due to being left in a hot vehicle.

Used GMC Acadia for sale near

2017 GMC Acadia

Features

Pricing comes down into the heart of the market, but the 2017 GMC Acadia can be loaded with features, especially the Denali model.

The 2017 GMC Acadia is offered in SE, SLE, SLT, All Terrain, and Denali models. Pricing starts at $29,995 for an SE with front-wheel drive and ranges up to $47,845 for a Denali with all-wheel drive. Options can push that total past $50,000.

A big infotainment screen, good base features, good optional features, and decent customization prompt us to give the new Acadia a near-perfect score on our features scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

Despite its off-road-oriented name, the All Terrain model only has a couple of features that aid with off-roading. First is the Active Twin Clutch all-wheel-drive (AWD) system that can transfer torque both front to rear and left to right. The other is an All Terrain setting in place of the Off Road setting of other AWD models; GMC says it delivers enhanced hill climbing capability. The All Terrain is also the only Acadia that comes with only two rows of seats for five-passenger capacity. As such it comes with removable cargo bars in the back that slide on a track and act as a fence to help secure cargo in place.

The Denali model comes with 20-inch wheels and a hands-free power liftgate, Other features that are standard by the time you get to the Denali model include HID headlamps, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a power tilt/telescoping steering column, an 8.0-inch configurable instrument panel display, and a heated steering wheel. The Denali is also the only Acadia offered with active dampers that GMC calls "Continuously Variable Ride Control."

GMC's IntelliLink infotainment system, which is standard on most models, is also updated this year. The 8.0-inch center touchscreen carries over, but it adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as access to new apps. The Glympse app lets the driver send their current location to anyone with a smartphone, even if they don't have the app. An At Your Service app uses the OnStar system to send offers from businesses in the immediate area to the vehicle. The new app by The Weather Channel is self explanatory.

Owners can also download the new myGMC mobile app to their smartphones to start or stop the engine, lock or unlock the vehicle, send directions to the vehicle, use the At Your Service app, call for roadside service, schedule dealer services, read the owner's manual, look up recalls, locate the vehicle, and manage the 4G LTE connection.

Notable options include a dual sunroof and a tow vision camera.

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2017 GMC Acadia

Fuel Economy

Lighter weight, a smaller footprint, and an available 4-cylinder engine all improve fuel economy, but the Acadia's V-6 isn't as efficient as some rivals.

The next-generation 3.6-liter V-6 does not come with stop-start, but it does get Active Fuel Management, which shuts down two cylinders under light load conditions to improve fuel economy. The EPA pegs those ratings at 18/25/21 mpg with front-drive and 18/25/20 with AWD.

By comparison, the outgoing Acadia was rated at 15/22/18 mpg with front-drive and 15/22/17 with AWD.

Great SUV perfect size SLE -FWD

Overall Rating

Styling

Performance

Comfort & Quality

Safety

Features

Fuel Economy

Reliability

I traded in a 2010 GMC Terrain with 57000 miles on it . I never had a problem with it but just wanted something a little bigger. I decided to get a leftover 2017 GMC Acadia SLE . This SUV has everything you...
I traded in a 2010 GMC Terrain with 57000 miles on it . I never had a problem with it but just wanted something a little bigger. I decided to get a leftover 2017 GMC Acadia SLE . This SUV has everything you could possibly need . There is plenty of room for 6 adults But You can’t get 7 average size adults seated comfortably . The V 6 is the way to go with plenty of power. The SLE comes with cloth interior and they are very comfortable. And I have a very bad back so I would know . Fit and finish was good . I would highly Recommend this vehicle . Also would wait till the end of the model year to get the best deal . This is not an inexpensive vehicle . + More »